Four Santa Maria Elks Rodeo queen candidates, two of whom have first-time sponsors, were revealed Saturday along with a pair of parade honorees, kicking off the countdown to the expanded event.
Saturday’s Rodeo Queen Kickoff Dinner and Auction at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge also included emotional remembrances of longtime rodeo supporter James “Jim” Glines, who died in February.
The dinner officially launched the countdown to the 82nd annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, which will expand to five days in 2025 with the addition of an Xtreme Bulls competition on May 28, followed by four days with a full slate of rodeo action.
Returning for 2025 are the Guadalupe Kiwanis Club with candidate Bethany Gamino and St. Joseph High School with candidate Rylee McGinley.
Newcomers for this year’s contest are the Santa Maria High School Saints Football Boosters represented by Brianna Hill plus Children’s Resource and Referral of Santa Barbara County with candidate Samantha McDonald.
Gamino, a junior at Pioneer Valley High School, has been involved in track and field plus various Christian clubs on campus and serves as a youth worship leader at her church.
Her sponsor, the Guadalupe Kiwanis Club, has participated in the Rodeo Queen contest for decades.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity to be representing a wonderful organization that shares my love and passion for serving the community,” Gamino said, adding the club supports youths, senior citizens, churches, sports and schools in Guadalupe.
Gamino, a sixth-generation Guadalupe resident, is the fourth member of her family to seek the Elks Rodeo Queen crown.
When she graduates from high school, Gamino said she intends to attend a four-year university to become a nurse practitioner.
Her campaign’s website with upcoming fundraising events can be found here.
McGinley, a senior at St. Joseph High, is varsity cheerleader captain and also belongs to other clubs on campus.
She recalled being a young girl and looking up to past queen contestants prompting McGinley to represent her school.
“At my school, we raise money for tuition assistance, and that’s something I’m passionate about so that every child can have a quality education,” McGinley said. “I was super excited to run for St. Joseph.”
She intends to attend Cal Poly to study business marketing.
Her campaign’s website with upcoming fundraising events can be found here.
Hill, a senior at Santa Maria High School, has played varsity basketball and softball for the Saints teams.
When she asked to represent the school for the rodeo queen contest, she recalled being shocked initially before deciding she couldn’t let the opportunity pass.
“I like taking new risks. I was ready to take on a new challenge,” she said.
During her campaign she intends to represent both the Boosters Club and the American GI Forum Education Foundation, she said.
“Both organizations value the importance of helping those in our community and supporting the families that make this city so wonderful,” said Hill, whose parents served in the military.
After high school she intends to attend Santa Barbara City College to play basketball and study nursing.
Her campaign’s website with upcoming fundraising events can be found here.
McDonald, a senior at Righetti High School, serves as president of the FFA chapter plus Vineyard 4-H Club. She also plays on Righetti’s varsity tennis team, competes in English horse riding and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind.
“A big part of who I am is my passion for community service and helping others so when the opportunity to be a part of highlighting and bringing awareness to an amazing organization, Children’s Resource and Referral, there was no hesitation,” she said.
“CRR provides an abundance of resources for children and families within our community,” she said.
Before she graduates from high school, she has earned three associate degrees from Allan Hancock College and intends to attend a four-year university to became a pediatric nurse.
Her campaign’s website with upcoming fundraising events can be found here.
The kickoff event signals the start of fundraising for the rodeo queen candidates and their sponsors who will hold a variety of traditional and nontraditional events — youth cheer camp, barbecues, concerts and more — to raise money for youth recreation and other community programs.
The winner will replace 2024 Queen Tori Ortiz, who was sponsored by VTC Enterprises.
“It’s been awesome,” Ortiz said her of reign. Since being crowned, she graduated from Righetti High and now attends Allan Hancock College.
Her advice to those seeking to follow her includes, “Have fun. Take it all in and work hard.
“They’re going to do great things,” she added.
Through the decades the Rodeo Queen contestants and their sponsors have raised more than $17 million.
Elks Rodeo Parade honorees
The rodeo kickoff dinner event included the announcement of former Mayor Larry Lavagnino as this year’s parade grand marshal and cancer survivor Maddox Hageman as junior grand marshal.
A native of Santa Maria, Lavagnino served as the city’s mayor from 2002 to 2012 and as a councilmember from 1996 to 2002.
Hageman, a senior at St. Joseph High School, dealt with stage two cancer before learning last year he had won the fight. He’s been accepted at Boise State University.
The Elks Rodeo Parade will travel south on Broadway starting at 10 a.m. May 31. For more information and an application, go to the parade website at www.theelksrodeoparade.com.
For more information on the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo or to purchase tickets, go to www.elksrec.com.
